Moroccan Court Rejects Jurisdiction Change in Frenchman’s Animal Cruelty Case

The request from the Frenchman’s defense was simply rejected. The deputy prosecutor of the king at the court of first instance of Benslimane explained that the local judgment concerns disputes. However, the accused is being prosecuted for several other reasons. The act he had committed constitutes a violation of Article 106 of the Penal Code which punishes ill-treatment of animals, as well as other articles of law that punish acts of violence in the presence of minors.

This request from the defendant’s defense also caused tensions during the trial on Monday, May 11. The lawyers of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights took the side of the young shepherd. The hearing was postponed to May 18.